Macbeth - symbolism and imagery

A detailed Summary of Macbeth - symbolism and imagery

In "Macbeth" William Shakespeare employs his skills in imagery and symbolism. The landscape of "Macbeth" reveals the contours of the title character's psychological turmoil. Churning with self-doubt about his determination, his ability to connect word and act, and his sexual potency, Macbeth is a man at the mercy of his environment. The inability to sleep is symbolic of a tormented soul and represents a character's control over their lives. The imagery of darkness in Act 4 is used to describe the agents of disorder. Within "Macbeth" Shakespeare demonstrates imagery and symbolism through Macbeth's self-doubt, his inability to connect word and act, sexual potency, sleep, and darkness.

On the heath of Scotland at the opening of the play, the wind whips over the barren ground and lightening leaps down from the sky around the subjected, weak man who will come to kill a king. Radical change is effected in Macbeth's character over the course of the play; he is driven from subordinate confusion to tyrannical insanity. The fluidity of his own psyche is reflected in the fluidity with which the characters around him take up dynamics that reflect his inner fears and worries. Macbeth's relationship to the witches in

Darkness in our society is indicate of evil. For instance, a black cat, a dark night, and a dark place are all symbolic of debauchery. Authors use these symbols to describe an evil character or setting. William Shakespeare employs the imagery of darkness in Act 4 of his play "Macbeth" to describe the agents of disorder. The witches, Macbeth, and Scotland are all described as dark because they represent the agents of chaos.

Macbeth, his arms soaked in blood after murdering Duncan, turns to Lady Macbeth. Surprisingly, some of his first words to Lady Macbeth are, "Macbeth does murder sleep--the innocent sleep / Sleep that knits up the raveled sleave of care" (2.2.34-35). Macbeth's first admonition that his decision to murder Duncan has destroyed him, is his recognition that he will no longer be able to sleep. Racked by guilt, Macbeth instantly recognizes that the order around him is turned upside down. Macbeth's rule is of darkness for Scotland and inner turmoil for himself. Ross, speaking to an old man, describes Macbeth's Scotland by saying, "Is't night's predominance, or the day's shame / That darkness does the face of earth entomb" (2.4.7-8). Macbeth like the owl both hunts and rules by the shadow of night; and like the owl he can not sleep at night. He is a creature of chaos.

In Act 1 Scene 7 Lady Macbeth cuts Macbeth down in order to convince him to kill Duncan. She insults him in two ways. First, she attacks his masculinity. She tells Macbeth that he is not actually a man when Macbeth tells her that he doesn't want to kill Duncan: "What beast was't then / That made you break this enterprise to me? / When you durst do it, then you were a man." (1.7.47- 49). Lady Macbeth equates masculinity with the ability to be violent; thus her attack resonates not only with Macbeth's fears about sexuality, but also about his inability to act. The effectiveness of her words is revealed when Lady Macbeth's words are echoed in his own mind and he begs Lady Macbeth to stop harassing him, "Prithee, peace." (1.7.45). Macbeth's insecurities about his ability to commit murder is fascinating beca

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Approximate Word count = 1425
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Novels